Jeremias 12:3

3 But thou, Lord, knowest me; thou hast proved my heart before thee; purify them for the day of their slaughter.

Jeremias 12:3 Meaning and Commentary

Jeremiah 12:3

But thou, O Lord, knowest me
The Lord knew him before he was born, ( Jeremiah 1:5 ) , he knew what he designed him for, and what use he would make of him; and he knew him now, and loved him, and cared for him, as his prophet; he knew his sincerity and faithfulness, and took notice of it, with what integrity he performed his office, and discharged his duty; and he knew that all his enemies said of him were scandal and reproach, lies and calumnies. Thou hast seen me;
his inside, his heart, and all in it; for all things are naked and open to the eyes of an omniscient God: and tried mine heart towards thee;
he had tried him by various afflictive providences, and his heart was found towards God; the affections and desires of his soul were towards him, and he remained faithful and upright before him, and not like the wicked before mentioned. Pull them out like sheep for the slaughter;
either out of the fold, or from a fat pasture; so fat sheep are plucked from the rest, in order to be killed: this shows that their riches, affluence, and plenty, served but to ripen them for ruin and destruction, and were like the fattening of sheep for slaughter; which the prophet, by this imprecation, suggests and foretells would be their case, as a righteous judgment upon them; see ( James 5:5 ) . Prepare them for the day of slaughter;
or, "sanctify them" ^F23; set them apart for it: this, doubtless, refers to the time of Jerusalem's destruction by the Chaldeans.

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FOOTNOTES:

F23 (Mvdqhw) "et sanctifica eos", V. L. Montanus; "segrega", Piscator; "destina", Schmidt; "consecra", Cocceius.

Jeremias 12:3 In-Context

1 Righteous art thou, O Lord, that I may make my defence to thee, yea, I will speak to thee judgments. Why that the way of ungodly prospers? all that deal very treacherously are flourishing?

2 Thou hast planted them, and they have taken root; they have begotten children, and become fruitful; thou art near to their mouth, and far from their reins.

3 But thou, Lord, knowest me; thou hast proved my heart before thee; purify them for the day of their slaughter.

4 How long shall the land mourn, and the grass of the field wither, for the wickedness of them, that dwell in it? the beasts and birds are utterly destroyed; because said, God shall not see our ways.

5 Thy feet run, and they cause thee to faint; how wilt thou prepare upon horses? and thou hast been confident in the land of thy peace? how wilt thou do in the roaring of Jordan?